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Training

Sessão de treino| Pré-temporada 2017/18

The Argentine striker has netted twice in successive games – against Monaco and Huddersfield – to become the Blues’ highest post-war FA Cup goalscorer.

However, it is not only his goalscoring prowess that has pleased his manager.

Reflecting on Aguero’s display on Wednesday night, Guardiola stated: “I love the way he played and how he was involved.

"How he was angry with the decisions of the referee for example; how he reacted, how he made the transitions when he lost the ball, how he was involved - not just in scoring goals but in the way we play.

"That's why I said it was his best performance. He was even shouting at Pablo [Zabaleta] when he wasn't happy with one pass.

"When this happens, you are in the game. After that, you have two chances, you are aggressive in the penalty, your first touch is good, your first control is good. When this happens, Sergio is what he is: an unbelievable player, not just in the box.

"That's why we were so happy and I know he is so happy despite what people say. He is so happy

"After the Huddersfield game he is really, really fit but of course we are going to see [if he plays against Sunderland]. We have Kelechi [Iheanacho] and other players. Sergio has been more than ready in the last games"

"That is what we want and what he wants. I am optimistic about that because it was a little thing in the training session – a muscular problem and that is 10 days. In his case maybe a little bit longer but he has been there.

"I am optimistic. Why not? We have good doctors and physios here, and today the medicine is much better. Why won't he be able to come back regularly for a whole season? I am pretty sure that it is going to happen."

City are heading into a congested period of fixtures, with the Blues involved in three competitions.

Guardiola denied the suggestion the pile-up is a hindrance, instead expressing his approval.

"I love it,” he declared. “I prefer to be there than to be out of the competitions.

"The schedule is what it is. I'm not the right guy to discuss your rules and how you decide when to play the games and how many to play.

"When I was young, playing for Barcelona, I heard for a long time the players and managers were complaining about that but I'm not the right guy to analyse that.

"The schedule is the schedule; the games are the games. We go and we play. If you say Sunday, Monday, Tuesday play, we play."